Reader In Artificial Intelligence (Machine Learning, NLP, Reinforcement Learning, and AI Security)
1 day ago | Be among the first 25 applicants.
The Department of Computer Science at the University of Bath wishes to appoint academics at the Reader level, with expertise in Natural Language Processing, Reinforcement Learning and/or AI Security to lead research, teach and help with the running of the department.
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Research Group
The AI & Machine Learning Research Group at the University of Bath has grown significantly over recent years. It includes experienced researchers such as Prof Nello Cristianini, Prof Özgür Şimşek and Prof Mike Tipping alongside a strong and growing group of early career researchers. This supportive and inclusive environment provides many opportunities to develop and progress. Our research is organised into four groups: Artificial Intelligence, Human‑Computer Interaction, Mathematical Foundations, and Visual Computing.
We are a highly collaborative team, working not only with other researchers in our department but across the university and beyond. The Department hosts the UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in Accountable, Responsible and Transparent Artificial Intelligence (ART‑AI), bringing together AI challenges across science, engineering, humanities and social sciences. You will have opportunities to collaborate with partners such as Google AI, DeepMind, the FCA, ONS, NHS, universities including São Paulo, Zhejiang and Tsinghua. The Centre for the Analysis of Motion, Entertainment Research and Applications (CAMERA) offers exciting opportunities for AI research around virtual production, motion capture and volumetric capture. The department’s own cloud service has over 80 GPUs.
What You Will Do
Research
You will work with colleagues, students and researchers to develop and publish papers, apply for research funding, and find ways of making your research available to society—for example, through industry collaborations, spin‑outs, charities, policy influence, and public demonstrations.
Teaching
You will design and deliver teaching materials for lectures, tutorials and labs, educating and inspiring some of the brightest students in the country and delivering an engaging experience.
Helping with the running of the department
You will undertake internal roles such as student placements, ethics processes, recruitment and admissions, or leading a research team.
Support and Growth Opportunities
Training for an HEA Fellowship qualification
New Readers may be enrolled into the Pathway to HEA Fellowship. Upon completion you will become a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Mentoring
All staff are allocated a mentor who supports day‑to‑day work and career progress.
Opportunities to progress, manage and lead
The team offers ample opportunities for growth, management and leadership.
Opportunities to collaborate and build on our networks
You will work with partners across entertainment, sport, healthcare and technology, helping your research attract more funding.
Person Specification
The ideal candidate will hold a PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant field and possess an undergraduate degree or equivalent experience. Membership in a professional body and a higher education teaching qualification (e.g., PGCert, FHEA) are required. They should have experience providing research leadership, a strong record of publications in top‑tier peer‑reviewed journals, and proven success in securing research funding. The candidate must demonstrate in‑depth knowledge of the subject area, be up to date with teaching methods and learning technologies, and possess academic leadership, research vision articulation, excellent communication, teamwork and positive relationships with academic, business and community partners. A commitment to research excellence, ethical conduct and enhancing student experiences is essential.
Contact
For enquiries or to discuss the role informally, please contact Professor Eamonn O’Neill (maseon@bath.ac.uk, Head of Department) or Professor Özgür Şimşek (os435@bath.ac.uk, Deputy Head of Department and Head of the AI and Machine Learning Research Group).
Interview Dates
Online discussion on 11 March 2026 and on‑campus discussions on 20‑21 April 2026.
Equal Opportunities and EEO Statement
The University of Bath is an equal opportunities employer – we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We are working to improve the gender balance in the Department of Computer Science and particularly welcome applications from women. We have a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, holding a Silver Athena SWAN award, and we are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and the Stars and Stripes program. We are a Disability Confident Leader, autism friendly and committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.
Benefits
* Free counselling services through Health Assured
* Cycle‑to‑work scheme
* Electric vehicle salary‑sacrifice scheme
* Staff discount at Team Bath gym
* Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
* Staff discount on language courses
* Generous employer‑contributory pension schemes
* Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days
* Wide range of personal and professional development opportunities, including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
* Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
* Local discounts and more
* Family‑friendly workplace
* Excellent reward package recognising the talents of our diverse workforce
* Relocation allowance
* Visa reimbursement and interest‑free loan to help with immigration expenses
Find out more about our benefits and watch the video to hear from our staff about what makes the University of Bath a great place to work, as well as following us on X and LinkedIn.
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